Melbourne salmonella outbreak blamed on mayonnaise at Langham hotel

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/25/melbourne-salmonella-outbreak-blamed-on-mayonnaise-at-langham-hotel

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Raw egg mayonnaise has been blamed for a salmonella outbreak during high tea at a luxury Melbourne hotel.

Related: Salmonella outbreak linked to Melbourne's Langham hotel

Mayonnaise from The Langham hotel kitchens tested positive for the same strain of salmonella that was found in 90 people who ate at the hotel on 11 and 12 July, Victoria’s acting chief health officer, Michael Ackland, said.

Sixteen people were admitted to hospital after falling ill, including a pregnant woman who was forced to deliver her baby five weeks early.

“Through our investigations we found that the mayonnaise contained the same strain of salmonella found in the confirmed cases,” Ackland said.

All up, 90 people reported falling ill, but it was possible to confirm the strain in only 40 cases.

The Langham Melbourne managing director Ben Sington said the hotel’s eggs were sourced from certified suppliers and stored in accordance with guidelines.

“Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure while investigations were under way, the hotel took immediate steps ... to only use pasteurised eggs in all cooking processes except for hard-boiled and made-to-order eggs at breakfast, and the hotel ceased making its own mayonnaise,” he said.

Amber Elbouch, who spent eight days in hospital and is still taking medication, said she had not heard from the hotel since falling ill.

“I think they do have a duty of care and a responsibility to at least contact us and see if we’re all right and see if there’s anything they can do,” she told 3AW on Tuesday.

“It would be nice to receive a phone call.”